Sacramento’s Greek Festival brings food, music and culture
The 63rd annual Greek Festival is underway at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Sacramento, offering authentic food, music, and cultural experiences through Sunday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The 63rd annual Greek Festival is taking place at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church near McKinley Park on Alhambra Boulevard in Sacramento, featuring food, music, vendors and cultural traditions.
Visitors can find something to enjoy at every turn, from vendor booths to live music and more. Rev. Fr. Vincent Minucci, the presiding priest, shared his favorite part of the festival.
“My favorite thing to do is inside of the hall. I like to spoon gigantes, which are delicious giant lima beans, for the wonderful people that come through here,” Minucci said.
After walking around the festival, attendees can stop by the gyro booth, which is a popular destination for food lovers. Niko Avdis, the gyro booth co-chair, has been part of the festival for more than 50 years and has honed his skills in preparing authentic gyros.
“If you go to Greece today, it’s the traditional street food […] It’s also one of the more grueling booths to be working at,” Avdis said.
He added, “It’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding.”
Minucci also shared his favorite dishes at the festival.
“My favorite food here is the gyro […] but I also love spanakopita. That’s our spinach pie with feta cheese wrapped in filo,” Minucci said.
Beyond the food, the festival is a celebration of community and culture.
“We are a beautiful community of faith, of love, and we welcome everyone to not just enjoy the hospitality of our community, but also learn more about who we are,” Minucci said.
The event will end Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m. Admission is $5, while children 12 and under and bicyclists can attend for free all weekend.
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